Among nicknames to possess Superman, a reduced asked moniker leftover showing up: Enrique la Reina (Enrique the Queen). “We interviewed several individuals who did in the Shanghai, in addition they said categorically you to definitely Superman is gay,” Prieto advised us. Based on Lowinger’s membership, Marlon Brando once questioned to get to know Superman throughout the one of is own check outs to help you Havana, arriving at this new Shanghai that have a couple of showgirls towards their hands.

There might have been no fulfillment derived from the brand new results. It had been the an act, all of the with the recreation of your listeners. “This was their skills. It had been his jobs,” Gacio said. “The guy acquired their living with their body, maybe not their mind. He previously a great treasure.”

Roberto Gacio together with believes that Superman are gay and that brand new rumor regarding fling having Brando is true

A beneficial Cuban documentary filmmaker that Mike and that i got fulfilled inside Ny lead me to their sibling, Willy, which presented all of us around. Willy was a 52-year-old gourmand and you may Lothario, men on the town inside Havana who appeared to learn folks. He had an astounding urges for ladies; throughout the all of our ten-excursion, the guy apparently slipped out to possess salty rendezvous straight back from the their flat. A finer people having a highly-groomed peppery goatee and you can a keen earring, Willy provided to try to be our very own fixer.

I satisfied Willy into the Habana Vieja at El Floridita, a bar popular in the 1950s Havana. It absolutely was heaving having tourists ingesting daiquiris whenever we showed up just after dining. They posed for photo that have a tan sculpture away from Hemingway, who had been a frequent in bar’s heyday. “I detest this one,” Willy said. “This one feels like Moments Rectangular.”

Willy told you he previously some intel for the Superman. He knew one whom understood a guy whom know Superman. “Superman is referred to as ‘Queen away from Italy.’ But when you named him the fresh King, however strike you,” Willy said. As to the reasons Italy? Willy did not see, however, the guy told you we are able to meet up with the people which passed on you to information.

The newest contact was a reporter named Rolando who had written multiple instructions toward Havana neighborhoods. Rolando plus did as an effective podiatrist so you’re able to supplement his money; Willy got einen Einwanderer heiraten set-up an event next day at that podiatry work environment. Rolando got and additionally informed Willy he knew in which Superman immediately after stayed-a location named Barrio de- los Sitios, close to a church. It absolutely was an identical area Prieto had mentioned. Willy said the guy imagine the guy understood the fresh new cut off, and he including understood an old woman just who stayed around. We’d wade indeed there the next day. Follow los angeles pista .

To possess Gacio, the fresh performer’s sexual direction means an undercurrent of sadness to his story

Rolando, the new writer/podiatrist, stayed to your a take off inside the Habana Vieja, just out of one of the customers-heavy roadways. He had been 71 yrs old and you will used a light doctor’s coating over shorts and sandals. He had some of those old-people grins that completely hidden his side pearly whites and you can a bushel off white nose hairs.

His podiatry workplace try nearby so you’re able to his house. Mike and i also sat regarding the dusty, candle lit waiting room if you are Rolando has worked from the back room, smoking a cigar, examining an excellent patient’s bunions.

We were meet up with men titled Eduardo, a buddy off Superman’s. It actually was 10 an excellent.yards. and we got become awaiting half-hour. Rolando advised me to wait a tiny lengthened; Eduardo would arrive in the future. The air inside the prepared space are rigid and smelled regarding mothballs. Exterior, the street is actually live that have early morning interest.

Immediately after one hour of waiting, Rolando came up in the bunion treatment to break new not so great news: However just spoken to help you Eduardo over the phone, and he wasn’t coming. “The guy does not want to talk. The guy does not want a photo. He’s frightened.”